Policy Coordinator

Job ID:

2595

Location:

New York, NY

Category:

Lawyers, Management, Non-Profit

Salary:

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Job Views:

46287

Zip Code:

10001

Employment Type:

Full time

Posted:

02.19.2015

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YouTube video:

Job Description:

The Drug Policy Alliance has an immediate opening for a full-time Policy Coordinator reporting directly to the Deputy State Director in our New York Office. The Policy Coordinator, New York plays an important leadership role in the development and implementation of public policy initiatives and issue-based advocacy campaigns focused on marijuana policy in New York. Based in DPA's New York Policy Office, the Policy Coordinator is broadly responsible for advancing DPA's goals and objectives in New York through responsible organizing, effective advocacy and strategic communications. This is a grant funded position that lasts one year.

Drug Policy Alliance

The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is the nation's leading organization promoting drug policies that are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights. In the last 20 years, DPA has expanded from its New York headquarters to include eight offices, 60 plus staff, an annual operating budget of approximately $12 million, over 35,000 dues-paying members and nearly 350,000 online subscribers. We have a solid track record of success at the local, state, and federal levels and consistent visibility in prominent media and policy circles.

The New York Policy Office of the Drug Policy Alliance works to promote sensible drug policies and to build a movement to end the drug war across New York. Our campaigns are developed in partnership with grassroots community organizations, researchers, service providers and other advocates for reform. From promoting overdose prevention strategies to ending the racially biased marijuana arrest crusade, from passing legislation like the medical marijuana law to working with cities to establish municipal-based drug strategies, we are relentless and methodical in building campaigns to shift New York's drug policy away from the criminal justice system and towards an approach guided by public health and safety. For more information about DPA and our work, please visit www.drugpolicy.org.

Job Requirements:

The Position:

The Policy Coordinator, New York will play a leadership role in the development and implementation of public policy initiatives and advocacy campaigns with a particular focus on ending marijuana prohibition in New York. These initiatives and campaigns, developed in conjunction with the Managing Director of Policy & Campaigns and Deputy State Director, are pursued largely at the state and municipal levels, occasionally at the federal level, and always with an eye towards broader movement-building goals. Based in DPA's New York Policy Office, the Policy Coordinator is broadly responsible for advancing DPA's goals and objectives in New York through responsible organizing, effective advocacy and strategic communications.

The Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate understands that the war on drugs has never been about drugs, but rather a state effort to stigmatize, isolate and criminalize certain people who use certain drugs, whether problematic or not. You understand that the drug war has never been based on science, but on fear and biased ideologies, fueled by government propaganda. You know the drug war drives deep structural racial inequities, which is why it has come to be known as the New Jim Crow, and you are profoundly committed to building a broad-based movement to end it. You believe deeply in responsible organizing and advocacy for equity, justice and human rights and want to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to transforming New York's approach to drug policy. You understand that effective drug reform policies are driven by research and science and are grounded in a strong evidence base about effective practices, programs and interventions.

Primary Responsibilities

The Policy Coordinator is responsible for:

Collaborating with senior staff to develop and implement reform campaigns, particularly related to marijuana policy, including leading outreach and relationship cultivation effortsResearching, analyzing, summarizing and, at times, drafting proposed legislation for state and municipal legislative bodiesEducating and lobbying elected officials and staff on legislation and policy issuesMonitoring implementation of relevant new laws and policies, such as New York's new medical marijuana law, and, where necessary, coordinating implementation activities with stakeholdersClosely collaborating with State Partners, including grassroots community organizing groups, to advance reform campaigns and broader movement-building objectivesResearching policy issues and writing memos, fact sheets, reports, letters, and articles on drug policy reform topicsIdentifying, and, when necessary, developing potential leadersWorking to sustain and grow our existing medical marijuana campaign and leveraging it for broader marijuana policy reformPlanning and facilitating coalition meetings as neededRepresenting DPA in public speaking roles, including media, speeches, presentations, and legislative testimonyDrafting email alerts, maintaining web page content, and participating on social media platformsWriting media stories, including press releases, opinion editorials, and letters to the editorCoordinating community engagement efforts and other events, including community consultations, press conferences, public forums, lobby days, and public speaking eventsSupervising one or more interns to achieve team goalsSupporting fundraising activities when necessaryCo-managing the office databaseParticipating in organization-wide activities such as policy issues teams, DPA's bi-annual conference, national reform advocacy

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:

At least three years demonstrated leadership experience in community or labor organizing campaigns (including online campaigns) and/or legislative reform campaignsExemplary writing skillsStrong attention to detail and ability to operate as a self-starterInterest to build and cultivate relationships with people and organizations of various orientations, backgrounds and perspectivesCommitment to harm reduction philosophy, equity and racial justiceAbility to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and demonstrate patience in the face of changing circumstancesAvailability to work evenings and weekends and to travel periodically throughout NY and nationallyAbility to manage, organize and prioritize multiple tasksA sense of humor and openness to honest self-reflection

Preferred (but not required) Qualifications

Direct experience with drug policy reformWorking knowledge of the legislative processes and policy analysisKnowledge of different social change methodologies and practicesHigh degree of proficiency with standard office applications such as Excel, Word, and Outlook required; proficiency is social media platforms (e.g., twitter, Facebook, blogs, Reddit)Graduate degree in public policy/administration, public health, social work, law or related fieldSpanish language proficiency

Terms of Employment

This is a year-long grant-funded position. This position requires the candidate to live in the New York Metropolitan Area and offers the chance to workwith a diverse, dedicated team. Telecommuting will not be allowed. Some travel required.

Please submit the following:

A one-page cover letter that answers these questions

Why do you want to join DPA's New York Policy Office

What will you bring to the team?

Your résumé and salary requirements

A writing sample of no more than four pages (links to online examples are acceptable).

Submit by email to hr@drugpolicy.org.

Please include in the subject line the following: "First Name, Last Name - Policy Coordinator – NY"

Email submissions are preferred, but if you have a good reason for doing so, applications can be submitted by mail to:

Lina Mingoia

Human Resources Manager

Re: Policy Coordinator, New York

Drug Policy Alliance

131 West 33th Street, 15th Floor

New York, NY 10001

The Drug Policy Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, people of color, people with disabilities and formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in hiring those who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.

Note: Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. Please do not call.